Air conditioning system including compensating mechanism for the effects of solar radiation



May 27, 1958 Filed April '27, 1953 C. M. ASHLEY AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM INCLUDI MECHANISM FOR THE EFFECTS OF SOLAR RADIATION NG, COMPENSATING 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIG.3

y 27, 1958 c. M. ASHLEY 2,835, 4

AIR counrnoumc SYSTEM INCLUDING COMPENSATING MECHANISM FOR THE EFFECTS OF SOLAR RADIATION Filed April 27, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 plied to each area United States atent 6 Carlyle Martin Ashley,

Carrier Corporation, Delaware Application April 27, 1953, Serial No. 351,165 3 Claims. (Cl. 236-1) Fayettevilie, N. 1 assignor to Syracuse, N. Y., a corporation or This invention relates to air conditioning systems and, more particularly, to an air conditioning system including regulating mechanism to compensate for the effects of solar radiation in the areas of a building structure being conditioned. The term solar radiation" is used herein to designate the heat load due to sun gain through the windows of the areas being conditioned.

' It has been extremely difiicult heretofore to compensate satisfactorily for variations in solar radiation in areas of a building structure being air conditioned. In an air conditioning system of the type shown in Carrier Patent No. 2,363,294, granted November 21, 1944, or of the type shown in my Patent No. 2,609,743 granted September 9, 1952, the primary air stream is employed to offset transmission gains or losses through walls, windows, floors and roofs of the structure being conditioned. The water cooling arrangement employed to cool area air (Patent No. 2,363,294) or the secondary air stream sup- (Patent No. 2,609,743) compensates for the internal heat load due to lights, people and solar radiation. While the heat load due to lights and people is usually substantially constant during the day, the load due to solar radiation varies considerably throughout the day. While the solar load to an area being treated is generally proportional to the sun gain through the windows, it is not coincidental. The difference in time between the point where sun gain reaches its peak to the point where solar load to the area being treated is at a peak, is a result of storage effect in the area and may be referred to as the time lag. This time lag creates additional difficulty in satisfactorily compensating for variations in solar radiation without creating uncomfortable conditions in the areas being treated.

The chief object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning system including regulating mechanism to compensate satisfactorily for variation in solar radiation.

An object of the invention is to provide an air conditioning system in which the temperature or the volume of conditioning medium supplied to the areas being treated is varied in response to the difference between the temperature of exterior air and a temperature produced by the heating eiieet of solar radiation and exterior air to compensate for the efiects of solar radiation in the areas being conditioned.

A further object is to provide a solar radiation compensating system for an air conditioning system which, in response to the difierence between the temperature of exterior air and a temperature produced by the heating eflect of solar radiation and exterior air actuates the air conditioning system to compensate for variations in solar radiation in the areas being conditioned.

A still further object is to provide a solar compensator for an air coneitioning system which reflects the difference between the temperature of exterior air and a temperature produced by the heating effect of solar radiation and-exterior air to actuate the system. Other objects 2,836,364 Patented May 27, 1958 2 of the invention will be readily perceived from the following description.

This invention relates to an air conditioning system for building structures which comprises, in combination, means for supplying a conditioning medium to the areas of the structure to be treated, means for establishing a desired temperature in the areas being treated and means to compensate for the effects of solar radiation in the areas being treated.

This invention further relates to a method of air conditioning a building structure having at least one zone exposed to the effects of solar radiation which consists in the steps of establishing a desired temperature in areas of the zone being treated, and, in response to the difierence between temperature of exterior air and a temperature produced by the heating effect of solar radiation and exterior air, varying said temperature to compensate for the effects of solar radiation in said areas.

The attached drawings illustrate a preferred embodimerit of the invention, in which Figure l is a diagrammatic view of an air conditioning system for a building structure embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view in elevation of the solar compensator; and

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line Ill-III of Figure 2.

The attached drawings illustrate diagrammatically an air conditioning system including the present invention employed in a building structure containing a large number of areas to be conditioned. The air conditioning system includes a central station designated generally at 2 to treat the air supplied to the areas to be conditioned. The central station 2 includes a filter 3, a preheating coil 4, sprays 5, a cooling coil 6, and a heating coil 7. A fan 8, draws air from externally of the structure through the various members of the central station. It will be appreciated, return air in any desired proportion, may be mixed with the fresh air and treated in the central station if desired.

Fan 8 passes conditioned air into a header 9, branches 1t) leading oil from header 9 to the areas 11 to be conditioned. Room units 12, 12', 12 are disposed in the areas to be conditioned and are connected to branches 10 by run-outs 13. Dampers 14 are placed in the runouts 13 as shown to permit the volume of conditioned air passing into any unit to be varied in accordance with conditions within the area being treated. It will be understood that dampers 14 may form a part of the unit if desired. Units 12, preferably, are of the well known induction type; units 12 may be wall outlets of any desired type; units 12" may be ceiling units of any well known type.

Dampers 14 may be actuated manually or automatically as desired. As shown, dampers 14 may be actuated manually by an occupant of the area.

Dampers 16 are placed, preferably, in header 9 to regulate the volume of treated air directed into the header by fan 3. Dampers 16 may be placed in any position between the first branch and the fan, if desired, and may be regulated by any suitable means such as a pneumatic motor 17 as hereinafter described.

The ductwork of the system (header 9, branches to, run-out 13) preferably isdesi'gned in accordance with the principle of static pressure regain to provide uniform static pressure at the outlets.

Static pressure in the 'ductwork is regulated by means of a static pressure regulating system which responds immediately to change in static pressure in the branches to actuate dampers 16 to vary the volume of treated air passing into the header 9 and thence to the branches sensing probe 7 as hereinafter described and vide desired air pressure to "33, actuating motor 17 in the reverse damper 16 toward an open position.

in a solar radiation box as hereinafter 7 it reflects a temperature produced by the heating etfect of solar radiation and exterior airwhile bulb 49 is, sus- Qpended below the box so that it'reflects exterior air tem ltlf The static pressure regulating system includes a 2G placed 'in header 9 to reflect a pressure in. the header substantially equivalent to static, pressure in'a branch at any given point. Probe 20 is connected by line 21 to a'pressurestat 22. i a i Pressurestat 22, preferably, verted bell type in which two in a liquid bath 25. The bells is of the well known inare connected toapivoted bells 23, 24. are inverted lever 26 to'move the same toward or from a nozzle 27'.

Preferably, a bellows "2 8 is. adapted to exert pressure against lever 26 in opposition to the pressure exerted by bell 23; Bellows 28 is connected to a solar compensator serves, in effect, to reset ressurestat 22 in accordance with the effects of solar radiation. An adjustable spring 29- also exerts force against lever 26 as shown. A source of compressed air (not shown), is provided which serves to provide desired air pressure through main air line 30 to the controls. Branch air lines 31, 32pmmotor 17. Asecondary air line 33 connects line 32 to;the nozzle 27 f pressurestat 22 A restriction 34 is placed in line cation of desired air pressure to motor l7 and through secondary line 33. Line 21 connects of pressurestat 22. Bell 23is open Thus, as pressure reflected by probe to the atmosphere.

line 33 and increasing the pressure applied to motor 17 to actuate damper 16 to move toward a closed position to decrease the'volurne of air passing into header 9. Likewise, as pressure reflectedby probe 26 is moved' from nozzle 27 permitting The static pressure regulating system is more fully described and claimed in 351,164 filed April 27; 1953. a

Preferably, the solar compensating system of the present invention is employed to re-set pressurestat 22 in ac- 'cordance with solar radiation the area being conditioned. It will be understood, however, that the. solar compensating system may be employed to actuate damper 1 6'directly or, if desired, may be, employed to regulate the temperature of air or water being supplied to the areas being conditioned when the air conditioning systems pre viously referred were employed. V 1 a a In Figure l, the solar compensating system is shown diagrammatically. This systemincludesa thermostat 40 containing a nozzle 41 connectedby branchair line 42 to line 30. A restriction 42 is placed in line 42. A piv- J oted lever 43, opens and closes nozzle 41;

" 'is actuated by means of bellows 44, 45connected by cap- 7 Lever 43 Bulb '48 is placed illary tubes 46, 47 to'bulbs '48, 49.'

described. so that peraturei The thermostatic ssyteins contain the usual liquid fillf', Electronic instruments may be used, if deprobe'20 to bell 24 20 increases, lever 26 is moved toward nozzle 27 thus increasing pressure in.

copending application Serial No.

'32 to assure appli- V 7 a side thereof facing in the same direction as the, windows decreases, lever air to bleed line, direction to'move sired, to sense the ditference between exterior air temperatureand'tempe'rature withinthe box. V 7

Storage material 50 may be placed inthe solar radia -the difference in a temperature produced by the heating 7 tion box to give the same. time 'lag' or storage eflfect'as V exists in the areas being conditioned Thermostat 40 is V actuated'in response to the temperature difieren'ce' be 'tween the two thermostatic systems". Variations in the amount ofistorage material placed in the box alters 'or ",corrects for-the difference in temperature between bulbs a 48, 49s'o that this difference is,directly proportional throughout the daytogthe' amount' o f heat that need be f:absorbed by the cooling system. 7 r The temperature'difierence between the interiorof the solar radiationior compensator box is approximately pro-. pprtio nali-to the amount of; effective heat received in the 1 sure applied against 7 corresponding zone of the .air supplied to a 4 i building by solar radiation Due to the substantially constant value of conductance between the interior of the box and the exterior air, the box serves in elfect as a heat meter to measure by its temperature difierence the intensity of solar radiation received; a When the nozzle 41' of thermostat 40 is closed, air pres.-

sure increases in secondary line 51 which connects the bellows 28 of pressurestat22 to the solar compensating system thus increasing the pressure applied; against lever 26in opposition tothe pressure applied thereagainst'by inverted hell 24 to urge'lever 26 to move away from nozzle 27 of thermostat 22 thereby resetting the 'pressures'tat in accordance with the solar radiation as .Ieflected by the solar compensating from line 33 decreasing'the' pressure applied to motor 17 to actuate damper 16 to move toward an open position.

The solar compensating system includes a solarregulais placedion the roof; of the structurebeing con ditioned facing in the same direction as the zone of the tor which structure being air conditioned. The solar regulator in cludes an insulated box'52 having av window 53in one of the zone being treated. The box is supported .bylegs 54. Bulb 48 is clamped 'as shown1at'55 within the in-. fins 56 are provided'on terior of box 52. Preferably, a I the exterior of the'box in order that the absorbed; solar Bulb';49 is clampedfat57 belowbox of solar "radiation thereon.

. Preferably, between peak ings furniture, etc. within the area being conditioned suitable; storage material 50 is placed within box 52. The amount orvolume of storage material 50 placed within" bbx=-52should produce a time lag in box temperature." substantially equivalent'to the time lag due 'tothe storage efiect encountered iuthe areas being conditioned. Q

Considering the operation of the header 9 by fan 3. Changing pressure in header'Q caused by decreasing .or increasing supplycf conditioned i 20 reflecting'a pressure substantially equivalent tostatic' pressure in a branch at point 5. The change in pressure sensed by probe 20 f air to various areas is sensed by probe affects pressurestatj 22 to actuate motor l7'to'movei'the dampen l6 thus' decreasing or increasing the volumeiof conditionedair passing through header 9, thereby main- 1 tainihg a desired *statiqpressure in the branches 10 to g maintain substantially constant, the volume of conditioned particular unit regardless of adjustment of other units during operation of .the system.

The pressurestat 22 is reset in accordance with'varia tions in solar radiation. 'Thermosta't lflis responsive'to effect ofso1ar-radiationand exterior air sensed. by bulb 48 and the temperature "Of EXiGIiOIf air sensed by bulb V is closed, airpressure increases.

which connects the bellows 2'8' of ressurcstat 22 to thermostat it). This increases the pres-Q lever 26 in opposition to. theipres-g by inverted helli24 to urge lever When the nozzle in secondary line 5?.

sure applied thereagainlst 33 to move away'frotn nozzle 27' thereby resetting'the pressurestat in accordance with the solanradiationhs'jf reflected by the solar compensating system. 7 It will be appreciated it'is notnece ssary to employ the solar compensating system with the static pressureregu,

system. Nozzle27 bleeds air the air conditioningpsys tem of. the present invention, .exterioror fresh air-is drawn'iuto central station 2,

- V filtered, cooled or heated, dehumidified or humidii ed as ,required,;and passed into ating system herein described since it may be employed 0 regulate the damper 16 directly if desired. If detired, it may be employed to actuate other controls in ther types of air conditioning systems. This solar com- ;ensating system may serve as a control system per se or may serve as a reset control for various types of regulators.

It will be appreciated, as explained above, that the solar compensator may be employed in an air conditioning system of the type shown in Patent No. 2,363,294 to vary the temperature or volume of conditioning medium such as water supplied to the areas being treated. It will also be appreciated that, if desired, the storage effect can be applied in the air line by means of a tank and an orifice instead of employing storage material in the solar compensating box.

The present invention provides an air conditioning system in which the efiects of solar radiation are compensated by means of a simple and effective control. The solar compensating system of the present invention effectively compensates for the efiect of solar radiation in the areas of a building structure being air conditioned. Such system reflects the solar radiation as received in the area being treated enabling more efiective control to be maintained. In addition, the present invention provides storage material in the solar compensator itself, thereby closely approximating the effects of storage in the areas being conditioned. it will be understood a solar compensator control preferably is used in each zone or exposure of the building where the solar radiation load is a major portion of the room load.

While I have described a preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood the invention is not limited thereto since it may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In an air conditioning system for building structures, the combination of a central station for treating air for supply to areas to be conditioned, units in at least some of the areas being conditioned to supply conditioned air to the areas, duct work connecting the central station and the units, means to supply treated air to the units through the duct work, mechanism for varying the volume of air supplied to the units and a solar compensating system to actuate said mechanism to compensate for the effects of solar radiation in the areas being treated, said solar compensating system comprising a responsive member connected to said mechanism a box having a window therein through which the heat of solar radiation enters the box, a thermal system including a bulb exposed in the box, said responsive member being connected to said bulb, said bulb being responsive to a temperature produced by the heating effect of solar radiation and exterior air, a second thermal system including a second bulb exposed to the temperature of exterior air and connected to the responsive member, said member responding to the difference between the temperatures reflected by said bulbs.

2. An air conditioning system according to claim 1, in which storage material is placed in the box of the solar compensating system to store some portion of the heat within the box.

3. in an air conditioning system for building structures, the combination of a central station for conditioning air for supply to areas to be conditioned, units in at least some of the areas being conditioned to supply conditioned air to the areas, a header connected to the central station, means to provide a predetermined volume of air to the header, branches connected to the header, runouts connecting the branches with the units, means for maintaining the volume of conditioned air supplied to a unit substantially constant regardless of adjustment of other units, and means to reset the volume maintaining means in accordance with variations in solar radiation, said reset means comprising a box having a window therein through which the heat of solar radiation enters the box, a responsive member connected to said volume maintaining means, a thermal system including a bulb disposed in the box connected to the responsive member, said bulb being responsive to a temperature produced by the heating effect of solar radiation and exterior air, a second thermal system including a second bulb exposed to the temperature of exterior air and connected to the responsive member, said member responding to the ditference between the temperatures reflected by said bulbs to reset said volume maintaining means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

